Retouching

I get asked about retouching quite a bit. After all, we all want to look our very best in photos (especially after paying for them). Which is why I offer retouching services. But what exactly is retouching?

Most everyone knows it involves Adobe PhotoShop or some other fancy (and expensive) program. But not many people actually know how to use it.

Well, fortunately for my clients, I do know how to use it. Professionally, even.

Below is one example of photo retouching that I performed. I like to keep photos looking realistic by preserving some wrinkles and most freckles (I love freckles). Otherwise, it's obvious that a photo has been 'shopped (that's fancy talk for PhotoShopped). I also brightened the eyes and removed the hair which was obstructing the face.

Can I be more extreme, like shrink body parts and swap out eyes? Definitely. But I promised my other subjects that I would never in a million  years post their before photos.

So if you have an existing photo that you want retouched, or I've taken a photo of you and you would like something altered, ask me about my retouching services.

Is everyone a photographer? Or is everyone a PhotoShopper?

I learned photography with a very old, film-based SLR camera. I had to meter light with a grey card. Assess the shadows and arrange reflectors to adjust the light. Then take a photo and cross my fingers.

Because I wouldn't know what the final product looked like until later. Much later.

But that's not the case anymore. Now, anyone can have perfect photos with the help of digital photography and PhotoShop.

A part of me thinks it's really cool. Because film and developing is very expensive. And PhotoShop is a one-time cost.

The other part of me thinks it isn't fair that anyone can pick up a camera, take a photo, and then fix it later. Because that photo becomes a lie.

PhotoShop is the auto tune of the photography world.

And the few of us out there who swear by taking a photo right the first time, are getting left behind.

So I'm slowly adapting. Creating unique effects for the people who want them. But only if they ask.

I worked hard to learn about photography. I should use those skills instead of fake them with my computer.

Right?